The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

BLOG POST

We have a <a href="http://www.planetizen.com/tech/archives/2004/06/29/95/">Planning Markup Language</a>. Adam Rogers proposed a "<a href="http://www.planetizen.com/tech/archives/2004/07/01/100/">Real World Markup Language</a>". Why stop at inanimate objects? Enter the "<a href="http://www.humanmarkup.org/">Human Markup Language</a>". <br /> <br /> <code>&lt;world&gt; &lt;/world&gt;</code><br />

July 1 - Abhijeet Chavan

BLOG POST

Chris has been <a href="http://www.planetizen.com/tech/archives/2004/06/29/93/">flacking</a> the idea of metadata specific to urban planning and related fields for a while now (and hey, if you go read that <a href="http://www.planning.org/planningpractice/1999/feb99.htm">article</a> from planning, ignore the lead -- I just re-read it and, well, what can I say except I was just a kid when I wrote it).<br /> <br /> So the basic notion is pretty cool: all the data that an architect, planner, contractor, builder, etc.

July 1 - Anonymous

Two British firms are designing new ways to organize space in dense urban neighborhoods: one through pre-fab construction, the other through an efficiently modern take on one-bedroom living. Both plans aim to bring high-quality, low-cost housing to cities

July 1 - The Independent Weekly

Britain's Halley Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf will drift off to sea by 2010. The Royal Institute of British Architects will accept proposals for a new station to be built by 2008.

July 1 - CNN

Recently released report accuses the British government's housing agency of having "lost its vision."

July 1 - The Guardian Unlimited

For some Americans, though, predatory lenders have turned the home ownership dream into a nightmare.

July 1 - Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Two local designers want a signature suspension bridge over Elliott Bay to replace a dilapidated highway viaduct.

July 1 - The Seattle Times

BLOG POST

Via <a href="http://www.etaiwannews.com/Business/2004/06/30/1088560431.htm">Taiwan News</a>, via <a href="http://www.smartmobs.com/archives/003433.html">Smart Mobs</a>, comes word of a project to build a mobile phone broadband Internet cloud over all of Taiwan by 2008. Salient bits:<br /> <br /> <blockquote>The target is to set up the basic infrastructures to combine cellular phone network service, IT computer platforms, and broadband Internet links with a total 6,000 kilometers of the broadband fixed networks, and 10 "mobile cities" plus 15 "special mobile districts" around Taiwan by 2008, according to Kao Tien-tzu head of telecommunication and information section at the advisory group. <br /> <br /> Kao said the project has now been underway and the government has the goal of taking Taiwan from number 20 to among the top 5 countries in the world for wireless on-line access, while at the same time lowering the charged service fees to up to 80 percent to be competitive with the top ten most inexpensive national rates in the world. </blockquote>

July 1 - Anonymous

A Los Angeles Times article evaluates the Bush campaign's focus on exurbanites -- people living in the newest ring of developments beyond the suburbs.

July 1 - The Los Angeles Times

Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities releases commissioned paper.

July 1 - Smart Growth Online

A new EPA report identifies 243 counties with the highest and most dangerous levels of particulate matter. Counties must reduce pollution or lose Federal funding.

July 1 - The Los Angeles Times

New Urbanism-inspired development runs into problems with "mixed use" buildings.

July 1 - The Oregonian

Southern California's new growth strategy calls for planning units in mixed-use developments with transit.

July 1 - Southern California Association of Governments

Former California state finance director Steve Peace sheds light on state/local fiscal dysfunctionality.

June 30 - The Metro Investment Report

The Environmental Magazine features a special primer on beach erosion and what can be done to stop it.

June 30 - E-The Environmental Magazine

Avant garde projects often fail to achieve harmony with Chinese culture.

June 30 - China Daily

The Port of Los Angeles debuted a new green terminal designed to curtail pollution from docked ships.

June 30 - CNN

In Lansing, MI, three powerful policy makers battle over transportation.

June 30 - Michigan Land Use Institute

San Diego's planning director Gail Goldberg discusses the challenges of coordinating urban infill and infrastructure investment.

June 30 - The Planning Report

Facing serious challenges, San Francisco's planning department is planning to get back on course.

June 30 - San Francisco Business Times